Nationwide Round-up: Sheron denies Prosinecki the glory

ROBERT PROSINECKI scored a hat-trick for Portsmouth but it was not enough to overcome Steve Parkin's resilient Barnsley, who battled to a 4-4 draw at Fratton Park.

Mike Sheron scored a last-minute equaliser to deny Graham Rix a much-needed victory, after the Portsmouth manager had watched his side take the lead three times.

Prosinecki scored the fastest goal of the day after four minutes and completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining to give Portsmouth a 4-2 lead. Having not scored for 13 games, the Croatia captain has now hit five goals in his past three games.

But Chris Lumsdon scored his second goal for Barnsley from the penalty spot after 83 minutes to set up a thrilling finish that climaxed with Sheron scoring with only seconds left.

Portsmouth had to play the final seven minutes with 10 men after Linvoy Primus, who scored the south coast side's second goal, was sent off having given away the penalty.

The forward pair took their tally to 40 for the season - 20 goals each - as they destroyed Terry Yorath's side in a six-minute spell during the first half at Hillsborough. Morrison struck after half an hour before Freedman and Jamie Smith added two more to make it 3-0 after only 37 minutes.

Efan Ekoku clawed one back for Wednesday just before half-time but they were unable to impose themselves further in the second half.

Iffy Onoura, fresh from his televised quiz show debut on Britain's Brainiest Footballer, set up Gillingham's 2-1 win at Coventry with a goal after 19 minutes. Marlon King looked to have secured the victory for Andy Hessenthaler's side with a goal late in the second half but former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd made them sweat with a strike five minutes from time.

Benito Carbone went a long way to improving relations with his Bradford manager Nicky Law by scoring the only goal of the game at Grimsby.

Grimsby had to play the whole of the second half with 10 men after Robert Taylor was sent off just before half-time. They eventually came unstuck as the Italian striker struck in the 61st minute.

Stockport County's nightmare season continued as Nottingham Forest cruised to a 3-1 win at Edgeley Park. Paul Hart has been forced to sell Chris Bart-Williams and Jermaine Jenas in recent weeks to ease financial pressure at the City Ground but his side gave a spirited performance against Division One's bottom club as Gary Jones and Marlon Harewood struck second-half goals.

Stockport's player-manager, Carlton Palmer, scored three minutes from the end but it was not enough to spark a revival and Leo Roget put the ball in his own net in the last minute to condemn them to their 14th home defeat of the season. Stockport remain 14 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Birmingham City's game against Crewe Alexandra was abandoned after 58 minutes at St Andrew's as the pitch became waterlogged.